What do "Joy", "Gratitude", "Love", "Music", and "Creativity" have in common? Find out as Alana Light shares the top 10 ways to make your house a home. These may surprise you, for they have little to do with finishes or brands.

If you'd like to be your own designer, join Alana's upcoming workshop at UNM-LA. Bring photos of your own home for personalized recommendations. Class is almost full so save your seat today. Be Your Own Designer workshop.

ARTIST WE LOVE: Award-winning artist Suzy Pal inspires us all to pursue our creativity. Largely self-taught, she never went to art school, yet her art not only has won accolades, her watercolors & collages touche our hearts. She's been published in North Light's "Incite" books and three of the Artistic Touch books by Chris Unwin. No wonder Home Goods, Kohl’s and Kirkland’s carry her artwork! Suzy says, "I feel very blessed by God that He allows me to create.... I believe it all comes from Him." If you'd like to learn from this master, be sure to sign up for her Backyard Gallery & Studio workshops located just outside Plains, TX. Visit her website: www.SuzyPal.com. Also sold here FineArtAmerica.com/SuzyPal. Busy lady that she is, she also has 2 blogs: www.suzypal.blogspot.com and www.sketchesbysuzypalpowell.blogspot.com

UPDATE: Suzy's art is now at Kirkland's as part of their American Artist series. Kudos, Suzy!!! (See first image at right).

Dan Cohen brings music into thousands of nursing homes, hospitals and care facilities. Starting as a volunteer, he quickly founded a worldwide organization that's growing exponentially.

​GIVING BACK / PAYING IT FORWARD:

Dan Cohen, after 20 years in tech, came up with the idea that introducing iPods in nursing homes could help bring those with Alzheimer's and dementia into the present. Sure enough, this extraordinary man's humble beginnings as a volunteer quickly became Music & Memory, reaching millions worldwide. Hear Dan talk about the link between music and memory, and how the msuic is the back door ot the brain. Not only is this transforming elder care, Dan's efforts are linking high school and college kids with the elderly.

Watch this brief video, and see the story of Henry. This became "Alive Inside", winner of the Sundance Film award and viewed millions of times. (Last count it's over 52 million!) Watch for yourself. Wow. The power of music.

What can you do? Donate an iPod. Start an iPod drive. Talk to your loved ones before the ravages of stroke, Alzheimer's, or dementia set in, and find the playlist of their life. All the details are at MusicandMemory.org

Happy New Year everyone. It's a new year and new opportunity for good things in your life. 2017 is your year!

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BE YOUR OWN DESIGNER TIP of the week: Alana Light shares 3 steps towards how to start the new Y.E.A.R. (Your Easy Affordable Refresh). Three steps to refreshing your home economically. How to rearrange your rooms, and refresh your artwork to feel like you have a new space. Also, what to give away now, to make more room for good in your life. Best part? All three steps cost you $0.

LOUIE SCHWARTZBERG: Award-winning cinematographer, director and producer whose breathtaking imagery uses time-lapse, high-speed and macro cinematography techniques. His TED talks have been viewed over 50 million times! Louie talks about his greatest teacher, Mother Nature, and the healing power of gratitude. Why understanding mushrooms is so important. Hear how can his amazing, heart-opening, inspiring MOVING ART being used at the UCSD hospital. Be part of the 2017 Gratitude Movement (Oprah approved) by visiting Louie’s Gratitude Revealed website. See the links page for even more of his gorgeous, stunning work. You’ll fall in love with our beautiful glorious earth, every time you watch his jaw-dropping films.Alana’s note: I am so grateful to Louie for coming on the show! He is truly shedding new “light” on what is truly important in our lives. ​

WORKSHOPS: Announcing the next fun, interactive, hands-on workshops. Learn to "Be Your Own Designer", and bring photos of your own home for personalized recommendations. Refresh your home in "Your Home is Your Canvas". Getting ready to sell? Help your home look it's best from day 1 on the MLS by attending "Stage your Home for Sale". Ever popular, budget-friendly "Drab 2 Fab" offers hundreds of economical ways to get the look you want, for less. Click here for more info.

Alana congratulating a previous class attendee for donating over 1200 lbs of clutter

PIN OF THE MONTH: Pinterest has over 150 million monthly users, and while the majority are women, men are the fastest growing demographic. (40% of global signups are men.) For inspiration for your own home see my Pinterest boards: LifeIsMeant2bLived Out of 14K+ pins on my boards, the #1 most pinned item last month was a good reminder for us all! See the FB page Monday 2-Jan-2017 for what that pin is!

This show reached over 38K people on FB.

About Make Your House a HOME show

There was always something to uplift and inspire you on Make Your House a HOME show. We showcased good ideas for your home and your life. By listening to this podcast, you join an international group of listeners who share a desire to beautify their homes, and make their communities better places to live, one compassionate act at a time. To date, we've had 172K podcast listeners in now a total of 47 countries.

Alana Light helped you make your house a home with weekly BE YOUR OWN DESIGNER tips. She also talked with people who are GIVING BACK / PAYING IT FORWARD, making the world a better place. You heard from professionals whose tips and expertise will bless your home in PRO CORNER. We also celebrated listeners' successful DIY home improvement projects in "YOU DID IT" segments.

The show was heard globally on SantaFe.com, and broadcast on KVSF 101.5 FM, the Voice of Santa Fe.